SPQR

The Senatus Populusque Romanus or SPQR, also known as the Roman Republic or The Senate, were an oligarchic republic controlled by the House of Maxentii, based out of the city of Rome in Latium. The republic lasted from 509 to 27 BC, when Gaius Octavius was named "Augustus" (Emperor) by the Roman Senate following his destruction of the House of Brutii, the last opposition to his rule as dictator following their assassination of Gaius Julius in 44 BCE. The republic were replaced by the Roman Empire.

History
Following the collapse of the Kingdom of Rome in 509 BCE after the rape of Lucretia, the people declared a republic based off of that of Greek city-states. The SPQR controlled Apulia, Bruttium, Etruria, Umbria, Latium, Campania, and Messana, but these areas were divided up by families in the senate, namely the Julii, Brutii, Maxentii, and Scipii. The Julii were based in Northern Italy in Etruria and Umbria, the Brutii in Campania and Apulia, the Scipii in Messana and Campania, and the Maxentii in Latium. The Maxentii were the major family of the Senate, controlling Rome itself, with their family holding the highest offices.

In compensation for the division of land between warlords, the Roman Senate demanded that the high families follow their directives. The Senate ordered the priveleged families to declare war on rival nations, issued orders for the blockading of ports, retreat from allied territory, and other missions that were followed by the paterfamilii; they would lose their titles if they disobeyed. Should a paterfamilias gain too much popularity with the masses, the SPQR asked them to commit suicide on many occasions in order to eliminate a threat. They maintained superiority over clans until an ambitious Gaius Julius marched on Rome in 49 BCE after destroying the rival factions united by Gnaeus Pompeius, and became Dictator until his death in 44 BCE. The last dictator, Caesar's legacy was continued by Gaius Octavius, who overthrew the republic in 27 BCE.